Randall Cobb

Pre-draft workouts mean different things for different teams, but one team that isn’t afraid to tip their hand is the Patriots. Their draft visits are (surprisingly) often made public, and they often draft off the list of player’s they’ve visited with.

Among the players who worked out for and were lated drafted by the Patriots are Patrick Chung, Darius Butler, Tyrone McKenzie, Brandon Tate, Julian Edeman, Aaron Hernandez, Devin McCourty and Rob Gronkowski. And that’s from the past two drafts alone.

Kendall Hunter could be a 2nd-round option for the Patriots

So far this year I’ve found reports of 21 players that are visiting the Patriots, and there’s one common thread linking most of them: speed.

Among the speedsters that Patriots have shown an interest in are five running backs – Ryan Williams, Derrick Locke, Kendall Hunter, Jordan Todman and Da’Rel Scott (who had the fast 40 time among running backs at the combine).

The Patriots have also shown an interest in some of this year’s faster receivers, including Torrey Smith, Jeremy Kerley, Cecil Shorts and Randall Cobb. They’ve also visited with Virgil Green, arguably the most athletic tight end in this year’s class.

With such a long list it’s tough to say who the Patriots are targeting at this point, but it’s clear that they’re putting a priority on adding athletes on offense. With four picks in the first two rounds, it’s safe to assume that Belichick will bring aboard at least one more weapon for Tom Brady.

An elite all-around athlete. Excellent speed and quickness. A true playmaker. Experienced lining up in the wild cat formation which Kentucky called the “Wild Cobb”. A smart player on and off the field. Praised by coaches for his leadership and work ethic. A converted quarterback – started four games at quarterback as a freshman. Experienced on special teams.

Weaknesses:

Slightly undersized, doesn’t have the ability to be a traditional No. 1 receiver. Missed time with a high-ankle sprain in 2008. Still learning how to play receiver; only three full years of experience at the position.

Comments:

Had he played at a big time program, Cobb would be a household name. He is an elite playmaker and one of the most dangerous players in the nation with the ball in his hands. His versatility and experience in the “Wild Cobb” and on special teams should intriguge some teams, especially offensive coordinators who like to get creative. He isn’t quite an elite prospect, but could be an instant impact player. His ability to line up at different spots on the field and his playmaking ability after the catch makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses.